Disneyland with first baby. Questions!

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I will preface my opinion with two things: we have three young children and travel pretty frequently (i.e. I get it and the hassle of all the baby gear) and this isn't the most popular option based on my observations. I highly recommend purchasing an airline seat for your child. It is safer for both him and the car seat. Even gate checking a car seat isn't recommended. My littles actually do really well in their seats as they are used to being strapped in them. It is easier for them to nap. And it gives everyone their own (albeit still very small) space. No, nobody is safe in a catastrophic crash, but a properly secured baby is much safer in every other air travel situation.

Ok, so now on to your questions. Definitely use your own car seat in the shuttles. You don't have any idea the history or safety of rented/borrowed car seats nor if it is properly installed or what other child has pooped through, vomitted, etc. and if that happened if the seat was properly cleaned for you and for the integrity of the seat. Car seats expire and I have seen so many car seats that look well past their expiration sitting behind the shuttle check-in counter or thrown in the bottom of the luggage compartment.

When we were at the parks, we left our diaper bag attached to the stroller when we went on rides. I wore a cross-body bag with a small water bottle and few little snacks that the kids could have while in line, though we did avoid anything with more than a 15-20 min wait. I also carried our park tickets, credit cards, phone. We used our phone for our camera so we didn't have to deal with a separate one.

I think you and your DH should take turns riding a few of your favorites. Mid-morning the Radiator Springs single rider line is fast. We did that and both of us had a <10 minute wait. I'm not the expert on single rider lines vs rider swap, but definitely make use of them.

My biggest tip on traveling with littles to any destination, Disney included, are sleep and food. Make sure your little one has enough chances to rest. Even if it means you and your husband take turns taking him back to the hotel for one good nap a day and attempting to get him to bed close to his normal time. And pack a small soft sided cooler with plenty of snacks. I swear that a little snack cup with some gold fish and cut up fruit, mini boxes of raisins, apple sauce pouch, etc can do wonders!

Not sure when you are going, but the Princess Dot Puddle Park was a HIT with my littles. Bring an extra outfit! And have so much fun!

I totally agree! I was going to post the biggest mistake is lap child. The parents are miserable. The kids. And whatever poor soul ends up by you! We always take their seats. If baby is rear facing you can bring your stroller to attach it and gate check at the end of the gateway.

 

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Yes. We do this. We have 2 car seats!

Does anyone have any experience with using Uber/Lyft from the airport, to DL area hotel, with a baby? Pros? Cons? I'm thinking it might be better because it's just your family in the vehicle and you get a direct trip to your hotel.

 

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We fit 4 of us in a regular Uber.

 

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https://csftl.org/leaving-on-a-jet-plane-the-csftl-guide-to-safe-air-travel-with-children/

Good travel tips

 

[millie0312]

I didn't get a chance to read all the responses yet, but I've gone yearly with my DS from 3 months, 1 year 3 months, 2 years 3 months and this year he will be just over 3- I also have an older DD so a little different. Please feel free to message me if I can help too but here's my advice- skip the car seat, bring a stroller and gate check it. Make sure it's folded nicely and better yet have a bag for it- most airlines don't insure checked strollers/car seats. The stroller is nice to bring- you can put the kiddo in it, carry on items, etc and you don't need to rent one when you arrive. If you do rent one do it from somewhere like city stroller rents, not the onsite stroller place so you can take it to your hotel from the parks. If you take a stroller and skip the car seat I'd highly recommend taking the DIsneyland Resort Express shuttle- it's a large bus, cheap to use (the Anaheim visitors website always has codes to discount and kids ride free with adults, 3 and under are always free), it plays movies and is clean and comfortable and best yet no need for a car seat!! We do this each year with my DS and it works out perfectly! With a little always have a plan and make sure it includes naps and breaks, and be ready to not follow your plan. Places that are popular if your little one can walk are the redwood challenge area in DCA, and of course toon town in DLR. Make sure besides breaks and naps you give yourself some time just to let them walk or play at the hotel too- floor time is relaxing as Disney is very much a lot to take in. My most important item to bring- even still- A PACK!!! I have an ergo and it saved my life in the parks!!! I left some things in the stroller like a change of clothes, diaper, wipes and a changing pad, snacks and a water bottle and put a few things in the park as we walked to rides them would grab the stroller as we went to the next area. It was also easy to go from pack to holding if need by for rides even when DH was sleeping. I also held DH during the night shows/fireworks, it kept him warm at night and he could nap during the day without being tied to the stroller. There is so much I could say and tips and tricks to go on for way too long lol but that is the very basics- you will have a BLAST!! Make sure that the baby is in all the photos not hidden in the pack or if they are sleeping in the stroller- stick the stroller in the photo! My real regret the first year we went was I have a lot of baby in the pack photos and not too many with DH in the photo better, so don't make that mistake- sleeping baby peeking out of the pack or in the stroller make very cute photos later lol